Rick,  I had your experience and also broke a prop.  Fortunately it was
a 3-blade wood prop, and there was no other damage.  I won't do it again
because I have installed an air speed switch from Ellison.  It is wired
in series with the "up" side of the gear switch and set for about 80
knots.  

It is also useful when the plane is on jacks and you are cycling the
gear.  I put a piece of vinyl tubing  on the pitot and just blow gently
till the pump comes on.  This lets you get your head down close to the
gear and watch the wheels come up.

Here is the switch I'm using:
http://www.ellison-fluid-systems.com/accessories/accessories.htm

Bob Belshe
N19B

RicArgente@cs.com wrote:
> ......snip
> Before switching the master switch ON, we all know to make sure that
> the gear switch is in the DOWN position, right?  More so if the
> builder did not install a safety squat switch, right?
>